Officers of the _Monitor_ at Malvern Hill. Glad indeed were the men of the
Army of the Potomac as they emerged from their perilous march across White
Oak Swamp to hear the firing of the gunboats on the James. It told them
the Confederates had not yet preëmpted the occupation of Malvern Hill,
which General Fitz John Porter's Corps was holding. Before the battle
opened McClellan went aboard the _Galena_ to consult with Commodore John
Rodgers about a suitable base on the James. The gunboats of the fleet
supported the flanks of the army during the battle and are said to have
silenced one of the Confederate batteries.
[Illustration: THE SECOND ARMY BASE